What Is A Temperature Blanket? 

A temperature blanket is a knit or crochet blanket that uses different colors of yarn to represent the daily temperature of a chosen location for a year. It is a creative and cozy way to document the weather changes and create a unique blanket with a personal meaning. In this blog post, I will explain how to make a temperature blanket, what materials and tools you need, and answer some frequently asked questions.

How to Make a Temperature Blanket

To make a temperature blanket, you will need to follow these steps:

1. Choose a pattern for your blanket. You can use any knit or crochet stitch pattern you like, as long as it is easy to repeat and has a consistent gauge. You can also choose the size and shape of your blanket, depending on how big you want it to be. Some popular patterns for temperature blankets are ripple, granny square, hexagon, chevron, and mosaic.
2. Decide on a color scheme for your blanket. You will need to assign a different color of yarn to each temperature range that you want to record. For example, you can use blue for cold temperatures, green for mild temperatures, and red for hot temperatures. You can also use different shades of the same color, or a rainbow of colors, depending on your preference. You will need to have at least 8-10 colors of yarn, each representing a different temperature range. You can use any type and weight of yarn you like, as long as they are compatible with your chosen pattern and hook or needle size.
3. Create a temperature chart. A temperature chart is a table that shows which color of yarn to use for each temperature range. You can use the daily high, low, or average temperature of your chosen location, or even the precipitation data, to create your chart. You can use online sources, such as Historical Weather Finder, to get the past temperature data for your location. You can also use a spreadsheet or a calendar to keep track of the daily temperatures and colors. Here is an example of a temperature chart, based on the daily highs in Fahrenheit:

4. Knit or crochet your blanket. Starting from January 1st, knit or crochet one row (or one square, or one hexagon, etc.) of your blanket in the color that corresponds to the temperature of that day. Continue this process until December 31st, adding one row (or one unit) per day. You can join the units as you go, or sew them together at the end. You can also add a border or an edging to your blanket, if you like.

FAQs

Here are some common questions and answers about temperature blankets:

• Q: When should I start making a temperature blanket?
• A: You can start making a temperature blanket at any time of the year. You just need to get the past temperature data for the days that you missed, and catch up with your knitting or crochet. You can also start from the current date, and continue until the same date next year.
• Q: How much yarn do I need for a temperature blanket?
• A: The amount of yarn you need for a temperature blanket depends on the size and shape of your blanket, the type and weight of yarn you use, and the stitch pattern you choose. A good way to estimate the yarn amount is to knit or crochet a small sample of your pattern, measure its dimensions and weight, and calculate how much yarn you need for one row (or one unit) of your blanket. Then, multiply that by the number of rows (or units) you will have in your blanket. You can also use online calculators, such as Yarn Calculator, to help you with this.
• Q: How do I choose the colors for my temperature blanket?
• A: The colors for your temperature blanket are entirely up to you. You can use any colors you like, as long as they are distinct enough to show the temperature differences. You can also use colors that match your mood, your home decor, or the seasons. You can use solid colors, variegated colors, or even self-striping yarns, depending on the effect you want to achieve. The most important thing is to have fun and be creative with your color choices.

Conclusion

A temperature blanket is a fun and rewarding project that can help you document the weather changes and create a cozy and colorful blanket. It is also a great way to use up your yarn stash and practice your knitting or crochet skills. You can make a temperature blanket for yourself, or as a gift for someone special. You can also make a temperature blanket for a specific event, such as a baby’s first year, a wedding anniversary, or a milestone birthday. Whatever the occasion, a temperature blanket is a unique and personal way to celebrate it.

I hope you enjoyed this blog post and learned something new. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. Happy knitting or crocheting!